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Nick Nelson

The Week Ahead

Beware the Short Week

Generally, it's somewhat rare for teams to have multiple off days scheduled in a week. It's even more rare to see this occur with more than a couple clubs. But in the coming week, a whopping six teams are slated to play only five games.

Five-game weeks obviously mean no two-start pitchers. They also mean fewer opportunities for hitters to put up numbers. So if you have players on the White Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Brewers, Cardinals or Nationals, consider benching them for the week ahead if you have strong alternative options available.

Here are few notes on mid-tier two-start guys who caught my attention for the upcoming week, followed by the usual info:

* After a rocky season debut, Kyle Kendrick has quietly rattled off five straight quality starts. He starts twice on the road and is available in close to 50 percent of leagues.

* Also worth a look as a short-term pickup in the NL is Bronson Arroyo, who has completed six or more innings in every start this year and has yet to issue multiple walks in a game. He gets a pair of home match-ups against the Braves and Brewers.

* On the AL side, take a look at Texas' Nick Tepesch. He's widely available despite his 3.54 ERA, and draws road match-ups against the Cubs and Astros.

The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:

American League

Wednesday, 5/8: Chris Tillman vs. KCTillman is coming off his best start of the season (eight shutout innings against the Angels) and is 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA in his past three turns.

Wednesday, 5/8: Felix Doubront vs. MINThe Twins haven't been able to do much offensively on the road, averaging just 3.3 runs/game away from Target Field, and the strikeout specialist Doubront has won three straight.

Friday, 5/10: Hector Santiago vs. LAAAfter posting a 2.51 ERA while pitching out of the bullpen in April, Santiago moved into the rotation to replace injured Gavin Floyd and kept it going with a strong first start. He merits a look against the sputtering Angels.

National League

Tuesday, 5/7: Hiram Burgos vs. TEXThe rookie is off to an excellent start in Milwaukee but draws his toughest match-up yet in the Rangers. Is he up to the challenge? Tough to bet against him as well as he's pitched this year.

Wednesday, 5/8: Jason Marquis vs. MIAMarquis has been reasonably effective this year despite battling control problems. He couldn't ask for a better match-up than the Marlins in his spacious home park.

Saturday, 5/11: Francisco Liriano @ NYMThe enigmatic lefty is scheduled to make his Pirates debut on Saturday. He's been flat-out dominant in a handful of rehab starts and was among the league leaders in K-rate last year, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares in the NL.

Generally, it's somewhat rare for teams to have multiple off days scheduled in a week. It's even more rare to see this occur with more than a couple clubs. But in the coming week, a whopping six teams are slated to play only five games.

Five-game weeks obviously mean no two-start pitchers. They also mean fewer opportunities for hitters to put up numbers. So if you have players on the White Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Brewers, Cardinals or Nationals, consider benching them for the week ahead if you have strong alternative options available.

Here are few notes on mid-tier two-start guys who caught my attention for the upcoming week, followed by the usual info:

* After a rocky season debut, Kyle Kendrick has quietly rattled off five straight quality starts. He starts twice on the road and is available in close to 50 percent of leagues.

* Also worth a look as a short-term pickup in the NL is Bronson Arroyo, who has completed six or more innings in every start this year and has yet to issue multiple walks in a game. He gets a pair of home match-ups against the Braves and Brewers.

* On the AL side, take a look at Texas' Nick Tepesch. He's widely available despite his 3.54 ERA, and draws road match-ups against the Cubs and Astros.

The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:

American League

Wednesday, 5/8: Chris Tillman vs. KCTillman is coming off his best start of the season (eight shutout innings against the Angels) and is 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA in his past three turns.

Wednesday, 5/8: Felix Doubront vs. MINThe Twins haven't been able to do much offensively on the road, averaging just 3.3 runs/game away from Target Field, and the strikeout specialist Doubront has won three straight.

Friday, 5/10: Hector Santiago vs. LAAAfter posting a 2.51 ERA while pitching out of the bullpen in April, Santiago moved into the rotation to replace injured Gavin Floyd and kept it going with a strong first start. He merits a look against the sputtering Angels.

National League

Tuesday, 5/7: Hiram Burgos vs. TEXThe rookie is off to an excellent start in Milwaukee but draws his toughest match-up yet in the Rangers. Is he up to the challenge? Tough to bet against him as well as he's pitched this year.

Wednesday, 5/8: Jason Marquis vs. MIAMarquis has been reasonably effective this year despite battling control problems. He couldn't ask for a better match-up than the Marlins in his spacious home park.

Saturday, 5/11: Francisco Liriano @ NYMThe enigmatic lefty is scheduled to make his Pirates debut on Saturday. He's been flat-out dominant in a handful of rehab starts and was among the league leaders in K-rate last year, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares in the NL.